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HISTORICAL SKETCH 


OF THE 


New York African Society for Mutual Relief. 


Organized in the City of New York 1808. 

Chartered by the Legislature of the State of 
New York 1810. 

Now existing under the General Law of the State 
Passed 1848. 

The Oldest Society of its kind in the United States. 


Jf CjuD 


Compiled by 

JOHN J. ZUILLE. 


nf2 



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The bequest of 
Daniel Murray, 
Washington, D, C« 
1925. 





INTRODUCTION. 

Formation of the Society, Proceedings of 
Legislature, &c. 

The wars that had blackened the pages of history and put 
their foulest blot upon the men and the nations that 
slaughtered each other for differences of religious opinion 
had passed. 

The great struggles that engaged the nations of Europe 
in contests for territory were still rife—when the new con¬ 
tinent came in for its share of interest in the struggles that 
should in time develop a new civilization—bring in new 
elements of strife, or perhaps assuage the nature of the con¬ 
tests, making them different in character, or at least wider in 
scope. 

Everything else brushed aside, here was this vast conti¬ 
nent to be dealt with in its vast proportions. Here were 
myriads of people unknown before to the civilized world— 
untutored—but having splendid physical development, with 
a religion that acknowledged a “ Great Spirit ” which they 
turned to the East to worship, from whom the gift of vast 
wild lands had been received with all kinds of beasts, birds, 
fish and insects for food or raiment; with perfect freedom 
to roam where and when they pleased, free tribes of the 
forest, God’s men of the earth, undaunted in courage, un¬ 
bending in will, brave in war—but without the knowledge of 
the implements of warfare such as Europeans had developed 
in their contests with each other. 

To it was brought this vast sea from the Ocean of bloody 
strife abroad, and this virgin soil made an outpost of earth’s 
Sacriligious contests. 

The attempt was made to reduce the people here found 
to a state of servility and bondage. The effort failed to 
accomplish the purpose designed, and the slaughtered 




4 


thousands attest the extent of the foul attempt; and to this 
day the remnants of a once numerous race hold io the in¬ 
tegrity of their fathers in defence of their forest homes, 
though not inclined to seek or benefit by the laws of advanced 
and cultivated civilization. 

Nothing in those days could resist the power brought to 
bear by the men who discovered and were determinrd to seize 
and appropriate the soil, and to find somebody to cultivate it 
for their benefit. 

It was to foster this design that Las Cassas, in a God 
forsaken spirit, looked to the shores of Africa to find victims 
to suit the aims of the Dutch, Portugeese, Spanish, English 
and French, to carry fire and the sword against the coast in¬ 
habitants of a country that were peacable tillers of the soil, 
but whose unfortunate customs made them the easy victims 
of a rapacious onslaught of nations advanced in the art of 
war, and each aspiring to be foremost in gaining new pos¬ 
sessions in the new continent. 

The success in introducing native Africans to the com¬ 
bined slave power of European nations was the beginning of 
untold woes. 

The Islands of the Sea were the first polluted, but in 
1620 the soil of Virginia received its first victims, coming in 
as it were arm in arm with the victims of religious op oression 
which at the same time were landed in Massachusetts on the 
rocky shores of her coast. In time New York had its quota, 
and with it all the paraphernalia of oppression’s rod. 

In the progress of events, a few early manifested a 
determination to free themselves from the iron hand of the 
oppressor; hence very soon there was a large class of men 
and women “who would be free.” This spirit manifested it¬ 
self in the esiablishment and maintenance of churches, and 
immediately after in the formation and support of beneficial 
societies. 

First among societies was the formation of the New 
York African Society for Mutual Relief. Alter several pre- 



5 


liminary conversations and interviews a meeting- was held 
in the school house for colored children in Rose Street, on the 
sixth day of June, 1808, and a constitution finally adopted 
and officers elected for its g-overnment: William Hamilton, 
John Teasman, Henry Sipkins, Adam Carman, Daniel Berry, 
Adam Ray, Daniel Brownhill, James McEwen, Henry Rouse, 
Samuel Charley, Richard Tankard, Samuel Clause, Benjamin, 
Slig-hter, Peter Vog-elsang- and others were present. 

As soon as the Society g-ot in working- order steps were 
taken to present their claims for incorporation to the Legis¬ 
lature of the State of New York, as will be seen in the 
Record of proceedings of the Senate and Assembly in the 
Capitol at Albany. 

Assembly of the State of New York : 

1810, Thursday, February 22. 

The petition of the New York African Society, praying 
for an Act of Incorporation, was read and referred 
to a select committee, consisting of the members attending 
this House from the City and County of New York.” 

The roll shows the following gentlemen to have been 
members from New York City : Thomas Farmar, Augustus 
Wright, Solomon Townsend, Samuel L. Mitchell, Abraham 
E. Brower, Caleb Pell, Samuel Tooker, John P. Anthony, 
Ichabod Proll, B. M. Van Buren, Adrian Hegeman. 

Assembly of the State of New York. 

1810, February 28th. 

Mr. Brower, from the committee to whom was referred 
the petition of the New York African Society, reported : 

That the petitioners pray for an Act of Incorporation, 
they having associated for Mutual Relief; and as their 
object appears to be the furtherance of their benevolent 
purpose, and no objection appearing to the Committee, they 
have prepared a bill for their incorporation and directed their 
chairman to ask for leave to bring in the same. Ordered that 
leave be given accordingly. 


6 


Mr. Brower brought in the bill entitled “An Act to In¬ 
corporate the New York African Society for Mutual Relief,” 
which was read the first time and ordered a second meeting. 

March 23, 1810. 

A message from the Honorable the Council of Revision, 
delivered by their secretary was read, informing that it does 
not appear improper to the Council that the bill entitled 
“ An Act to Incorporate the New York African Society for 
Mutual Relief” (and others mentioned, including the Me¬ 
chanic Bank) should severally become laws of this State. 

Note.—The Hon. Council of Revision examined all bills 
and petitions presented to either House, and decided upon the 
propriety of their passage or grant. 

Senate of the State of New York. 

March 19, 1810. 

The Honorable, the Lieutenant Governor in the chair 
and a quorum of the Senate. 

Among other bills the bill entitled “An Act to Incorpor¬ 
ate the New York African Society for Mutual Relief” was 
read the third time. Resolved : That the bill do pass. 

Thus began the corporate existence of our ancient and 
honorable institution. Ancient because the first society of 
its class organized amongst us that received Legislative aid. 
Honorable because for a period of more than eighty-two 
years it has stood the test of a severe public scrutiny, and to¬ 
day stands unsullied in its reputation ; bearing aloft all its 
honors, challenging the admiration of the community, carry¬ 
ing with it the esteem of young and old of the present 
generation ; increasing in strength, advancing in the accum¬ 
ulation of property and in all the elements that constitute the 
greatest respectability and highest of its class. 

Our incorporation was far in advance of the spirit of the 
age. It was six years before the Legislature had passed the 
Act to make New York a Free State and about seventeen 


7 


years before such act should take effect. It was to usher in 
an incorporated society before the manhood of its member¬ 
ship was acknowledged by the community at large. But it 
was tke law . March the 23rd was made a memorable day ; to 
celebrate it in an appropriate manner, to appear on the public 
streets with flying* colors and a band of music for the first 
time would surely attract a mob, and the consequences were 
feared amongst our own members, and to some extent, our 
friends. One friend remarked—and his remark was echoed 
by others—“Your society has a perfect right to every im¬ 
munity which any other society has under its Act of Incorpor¬ 
ation, and the city is bound by its obligations to preserve the 
peace, to protect and defend you; but such is the malignity 
of public prejudice that the authorities would be entirely 
powerless to protect you on the streets, and you would be 
torn in pieces by howling mobs.” 

Nevertheless arrangements were completed and the order 
of march, headed by a full band, was ordered through the 
principal streets of the cit} r . 

“We will go though death stare us in the face,” said 
Hamilton, Latham, Teasman, Sipkins and the rest of them : 
and they did go, with hearts of true men : by their daring 
they compelled the monster public prejudice to falter in its 
step, so the men grasped him by the throat—hurling him to 
the earth—trampled under foot his prostrate body, proclaim¬ 
ed themselves the victors over him, with the right secured to 
march through the public streets of the city at will, then and 
thereafter forever. 


THE MONTH OF MARCH. 

AN EVENTFUL MONTH. 

The First Congress of the United States met March 4, 
1789. 



8 


Maine was admitted into the Union March 15, 1820. 

Andrew Jackson, the Hero of New Orleans, was born 
March 13, 1767. 

Florida was admitted a State March 16, 1844. 

Madison was born March 16, 1781. 

Rev. John Peterson was born March 17. 

St. Patrick was born March 17. 

The Stamp Act was repealed March 18, 1766. 

Yale College was founded March 19, 1700. 

The Thames Tunnel was opened March 25, 1743, 

Vera Cruz captured March 27. 

The Crimean War ended March 30 1856. 

The German Army occupied Paris March, 1, 1871. 

The New York African Society for Mutual Relief in¬ 
stituted a corporate body by the Legislature of the State of 
New York March 23, 1810. 

At the celebration of the passage of the Act of Incorpor¬ 
ation an oration was delivered, the Constitution and dis¬ 
patches were read and an ode was sung, composed and set to 
music by Mr. James Latham, one of the founders of the 
society, the principal streets were paraded, led by a good 
band of music, furnished from our own native talent; the 
houses of the gentry of the city were passed, greeted by 
the waiving of handkerchiefs, puting to rout the rowdy 
element, treading down any and all opposition to our march. 

These celebrations were kept up for a number of years 
and were the principal features of our social life. 

In 1827 the law for freedom in the State of New York 
was completed and the street parades were taken up by all 
our benevolent societies; after a few years the Mutual 
Relief withdrew to a more quiet manner of expressing their 

joy- 

The act was completed and filed on the 23rd of March, 
but such was the difficulty of transmission and conveyance 
between the Capitol and this city that it took three weeks for 
the news to reach the city by stage and saddle horse convey¬ 
ance. In that we see the difference between then and now. 


9 


That is not the main difference, for then the State of New 
York was bound hand and foot to the slave power of the 
nation, crippled in every limb of her intercourse with other 
States and by her own laws; self-bound, self-humilated, her 
powers for good held back and the better features of her 
strength rendered prostrate by a crushing Juggernaught. 
But now how different, we can sit in our own houses and 
know what is going on in Albany the very moment that it 
transpires : we may experience the transmission of her ideas 
of freedom as with lightning shock when she proclaims that 
she is free from every tie except such as bind her to do the 
best she may for freedom, for justice and for equal laws to all 
her citizens, without regard to complexion, nationality or 
previous condition, or anything else incompatible with her 
present idea that as the common atmosphere is the equal 
property of all, so equally her laws shall protect and guaran¬ 
tee rights to all. 


Our Fifst Charter, 

Remained in force until 1825 and application was made in 
due time for an extension of the time for the period following 
and the proceedings of the Legislature give the facts as 
found in the Journal of the Senate and Assembly. 

Committee on expiring laws, to whom was referred the 
petition of the New York African Society for Mutual Relief, 
praying for a renewal of their charter, reported that the 
Committee prepared a bill in pursuance of the prayer of the 
petitioners, and directed him to ask for leave to bring in the 
same. Ordered that leave be given to bring such bill. 

Mr. Cramer, according to leave, brought in said bill, 
entitled, “An Act extending an Act incorporating the New 
York African Society for Mutual Relief, passed March 23, 
1810, which was read the first time and by unanimous consent 
was read a second time.” 

1825. Application of New York African Society for 
Mutual Relief to extend charter. 


10 


Assembly : 

Wednesday, March 2, 1825. 

“ Message received from Senate informing 1 the Assembly 
that the Senate had passed the bill entitled “An Act to 
extend an Act Incorporating 1 the New York African Society 
for Mutual Relief, passed March 23, 1810. 

Thursday, March 3, 1825. 

Mr. Wheeler, from the Select Committee, to whom was 
referred the Engrossed Bill from the Senate entitled “ An 
Act to extend an Act to Incorporate the New York African 
Society for Mutual Relief, passed 23rd of March, 1810, 
reported— 

That the Committee has examined the said bill and see 
no reason why the said bill should not become a law. 

Ordered that the said bill be committed to a Committee 
of the whole House. 


March 19, 1825. 

Mr. Adams, from Committee of Nine, reported an Act to 
extend an Act entitled An Act Incorporating 1 the New York 
African Society for Mutual Relief. 

March 23, 1825. 

Bill read a third time. Mr. Speaker put the question 
whether the House would agree to the passage of the said 
bill—determined in the affirmative—two-thirds of all the 
members elected to this House voting in favor thereof. Ayes 
97. Nays 00. 

Messrs. Adams, Angevine, Borst, Campbell, Coutant, 
Fillmore, Goodell, Hardenburgh, Hedges, Huntington, Lush, 
Medbury, E. Morse, Patchin, Plumpelly, Scofield, Stevens, 
Vanderhousell, Wheeler, Dexter, Faulker, Kennedy, Rath- 
burn, Wilkin, Wire, Cockburn, Armstrong, Bostwick, Car¬ 
penter, Crane, Finn, Goodrich, Hasbrouck, Hill, Jackson, 
Marsh, Miller, J. Morss, Petit, P. Robinson, E. Smith, B. 


11 


Stoddard, Vanderheyden, G. White, Doe, Fellows, Knapp, 
Rhood, Wiles, Zabriskie, Hall, Barber, Buck, Clayton, Cun¬ 
ning-ham, Fisk, Gurnee, Hasting-s, Hodg-es, Lawrence, Mc- 
Burney, Mixer, Nortu, Pearson, St. John, P. Smith, S. 
Stoddard, Vrooman, B. White, Enos, Jones, Lansing-, Rich, 
Winton, Anderson, Bedell, Bushnell, Cook, Devoe, Folts, 
Hays, Hubert, Lord, McKay, Monell, Palmer, Pitts, Schuy¬ 
ler, Stanton, Tredwell, Weed, Whiting-, Esselstyn, Judd, 
Quakenboss, J. E. Robinson, Willis. 

Senate: 

Wednesday, March 4, 1825. 

“The Committee on enrolled bills reported that the 
Committee had examined the enrolled bill entitled “An Act 
incorporating- the New York African Society in the City of 
New York, passed March 23, 1810, was read a third time : 
two-thirds of all the Senators voting- in favor thereof. 

Resolved, that the bill do pass, as follows: Mr. Clark, 
Mr. A. B. Dickinson, Mr. D. S. Dickinson, Edwards, Ely, 
Farman, Hawkins, Hopkins, Hull, Hunt, Talmag-e, Johnson, 
Van Dyke, Lee, Wag-er, Living-ston, Waks, Mosely, Young-, 
Nichols, Peck.” 

“Ordered—That the clerk deliver said bill to the 
Assembly and inform them that the Senate has passed the 
same without amendment.” 

Renewal 1840. 

Legislature of the State of New York, Assembly. 

February 3, 1840. 

The petition of the New York African Society for 
Mutual Relief, praying- for a renewal of their charter, was 
read, and referred to the Standing- Committee on Charitable 
and Religious Societies. 

February 11, 1840. 

Mr. Clark, from the Committee on Charitable and Re- 


12 


ligious Societies, to which was referred the petition of the 
New York African Society for Mutual Relief, praying for a 
renewal of their charter, reported in favor of the prayer of 
the petitioners, and asked leave to bring in a bill. Ordered 
that leave be given to bring in such bill. 

Mr. Clark accordingly brought in the said bill entitled 
“An Act further to extend the Act Incorporating the New 
York African Society for Mutual Relief, which was read the 
first time, and by unanimous consent was also read the second 
time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. 

Assembly, March 7, 1840. 

Mr. Morgan moved that the bill entitled “An Act to 
extend an Act Incorporating the New York African Society 
for Mutual Relief” be taken from the general orders and 
referred to a Select Committee to report complete. The 
Speaker put the question as to whether the House would agree 

to such reference, and it was decided in the affirmative, two- 
thirds of the members voting for it. 

Ordered, That Mr. Morgan, Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Z. Clark 
be said Committee. Mr. Morgan from the Select Committee, 
to which was referred the said bill entitled, “ An Act further 
to extend the Act entitled An Act Incorporating the New 
York African Society for Mutual Relief” 

That the Committee had gone through the said bill and 
agreed to the same without amendment, which he was 
directed to report to the House, and he read the report in 
his place, and delivered the same in at the table. There it 
was read and agreed to by the House. 

March 12, 1840. 

The Engrossed Bill entitled, “An Act further to extend 
the Act Incorporating the New York African Society for 
Mutual Relief” was read the third time. 

Mr. Speaker put the question whether the House would 
agree to the passage of the said bill, and it was determined 



13 


in the affirmative, two-thirds of all the members elected to 
this House voting- in favor thereof, as follows: Yeas 99. 
Nays 00. 

Messrs. Alaben, Beling-er, Boug-hton, Brownson, A. G. 
Chatfield, Gould, Hoag, J. Johnson, Lasak, E. J. Porter, 
Preston, St. John, S. Smith, Springer, E Clark, Dana, 
Devendorf, Ferris, McFadden, Morgan, Barker, Benedict, 
Busteed, Bryan, Fraser, Grout, Hubbard, S. Johnson, Phelps, 
P. B. Porter, Rice, Salisbury, Speaker, S. Stewart, Z. Clark, 
D»>wley, Eldridge, Lay, Marvin, Nichols, Bassler, Bernard, 
B. Brown, Bryson, G. M. French, Halsey, Hewlett, King, 
Lawrence, Post, Rjsevelt, Sanders, Spofford, Church, Conk¬ 
lin, Deniston, Enos, Little, Messereau, Niles, Bedell, Bird- 
sey, G. Brown, Buck, M. D. French, Hegeman, Jefferson, 
Kniblo, Phillips, Pratt, Russell, Simmons, Meager, C. Clark, 
Croker, Deyo, Farrington, McClay, Miller, North, Osband, 
J. Stewart, Townsend, Weir, Williamson, Osborn, Strang, 
Trowbridge, Wood, Winant, Overbaugh, Strong, Vedder, 
Welsh, Wood, Peck, Taylor, Watson, Wheaton. 

Senate, Tuesday, March 10, 1840. 

A bill was received from the Assembly for concurrence, 
entitled “An Act further to extend the Act Incorporating 
the New York African Society for Mutual Relief, which was 
read the first time, and by unanimous consent was read a 
second time, and referred to the Committee on charitable and 
religious societies. 

March 12, 1840. 

On motion of Mr. A. H. Livingston ordered that the Bill 
from the Assembly entitled “An Act further to extend the 
Act Incorporating the New York African Society for Mutual 
Relief was read a third time and passed, two-thirds of all the 
members present elected to the Senate voting in favor there¬ 
of, as follows: 

Messrs. Clark, A. B: Dickihsony D. S. Dickinson, Dixon, 
Edwards, Ely, Furman, Hankins,- Hopkins, Hull, Hunt, 


14 


Johnson, Lee, H. A. Livingston, Mosely, Nichols, Peck, 
Skinner, Tallmage, Van Dyck, Wager, Works, Young. 
Yeas, 23; Nays, 00. 

Ordered, that the Clerk deliver said bill to the Assembly 
and inform them that the Senate has passed the same with¬ 
out amendment. 

March 12, Assembly. 

A message was received from the Senate informing the 
House that they passed the bill entitled “An Act further to 
extend the Act Incorporating the New York African Society 
for Mutual Relief.” 

A message was received from the Governor, stating that 
he had signed the bill entitled “An Act to extend the Act 
Incorporating the New York African Society for Mutual 
Relief.” 


Referring back to the first organization of our society in 
1808, we find that it was one year after the organization of 
the Society of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. 

That we were incorporated six years after the Am. Bi¬ 
ble Society was formed ; 32 years before the introduction of 
Croton water in the city. 

Eighteen years before the American Institute was 
founded. 

Forty-two years before the Young Men’s Christian As¬ 
sociation was organized. 

Forty-seven years before the Central Park was set apart 
as a place of popular resort. 


Charter Under The General Law Of The State 
Passed 1848. 

The unanimity with which our first charter of 1810 was 
granted, the cordiality with which it was extended in 1825 
and 1840, and the fact that no special transactions were en¬ 
tered into, nor any new obligations assumed and the society 




15 


going* on easily, a renewal of the charter in 1855 seems to 
have been omitted until in 1869 the society took fresh obli¬ 
gations under the State law passed in 1848 by the Legisla¬ 
ture, and under which our corporate existence is fully pro¬ 
tected, and all our obligations and privileges assured in 
their fullest strength. 

Our First Property. 

Was acquired under the original charter in 1820, and 
the last purchase of property in Greenwich Avenue was 
made under our present charter in 1869, so that our legal 
obligations and corporate responsibilities would seem to be 
well covered, and our future operations provided for. 

The Parent of Other Societies. 

Our society after its incorporation, exerted a wide influ¬ 
ence in the community, as results would seem to show. In 
fact, it became so large that out of it sprang the Clarkson 
Society, the Wilberforce Benevolent Society, the Union So¬ 
ciety, the Wool man Society of Brooklyn, and our documents 
were taken as models for many others. 


Our proceedings were conducted with spirit and intelli¬ 
gence, the meetings orderly and the elections well contested. 

At one election, when William Hamilton, then Presi¬ 
dent, and Adam Carman were candidates, the voting result¬ 
ed in a tie between them ; the President not having voted, 
had the casting vote and declared William Hamilton elected, 
but immediately resigned the choice, appointed a special 
election for President and announced that William Hamilton 
would not be a candidate. 

The special election was held, Adam Carman elected 
and installed with other officers at the proper time. Carman 
served one term and was succeeded by Hamilton, John Teas- 
man, Samuel Ennalls, Thomas L. Jinnings, Alexander Els¬ 
ton, Philip A. Bell, William P. Powell, Charles B. Ray, 



16 


William H. Anthony, John J. Zuille and Edward V. C. 
Eato. 


The Society’s Purchase. 

The Society’s property on Orange, now Baxter Street, 
was acquired August 18, 1820, at a cost of $1,800, and con¬ 
sisted of a lot 25x75, on the back of which the society erected 
a building which was used for its meetings and to accommo¬ 
date other societies. It was in line with the residences of 
many of its prominent members. 

It was urged also that while the location was not at all 
the most agreeable, that in the course of a very few years 
there would certainly be a change, and that Roosevelt Street 
would be widened and Orange Street must necessarily follow, 
giving an outlet to the shipping business which then cen¬ 
tred near the foot of that street; which when accomplished 
would make our property one of the most valuable locations 
in the city. 

The change so confidently expected did not transpire, 
and the hope of our members never realized itself, as com¬ 
merce went toward the Battery and then up the North River 
side, while South, Water, Front and Pearl streets, each in 
their turn (especially Pearl Street) looming up for a long 
period, but finally fading from the front, lingered to fourth 
and fifth rate places, swinging round Wall street, Broad 
Street and the Custom House to find a more agreeable loca¬ 
tion, better tide, and a more encouraging outlet, which it 
found on Murray, Warren, Chambers, Worth streets and 
Broadway. 

The Field. 

Our society has passed through a period of 84 years of 
existence and 82 years as a corporate body under the laws of 
the State of New York, holding meetings once a month with 
scarcely one month’s omission, passing through the various 
changes that must occur in so long a period, not only 



17 


amongst our own immediate associates, but in the communi¬ 
ty at large,—that is to say, the formation of various so¬ 
cieties and orders amongst the people, the temporary exist¬ 
ence of some and their final abandonment,—and the war of 
1812 between this country and Great Britain,—the bloody 
strife of Napoleon with the nations that were obliged to 
combine to check the career of that bloodthirsty genius, the 
bringing into existence and achievement of the independence 
of the Haytien Republic, as well as the independent govern¬ 
ments of South America,—the struggle of the slave power 
of our country to spread itself over all the land and its final 
overthrow :—we would seem to have lived to bury the dead 
issues of the past, to emerge from under the weight that op¬ 
pression and caste have imposed on us, to tread more firmly 
upon the soil now consecrated to Freedom and human pro¬ 
gress,—to enter with sublime hope upon new fields of pro¬ 
gress with fairer prospects, achieving by self dependence 
man’s truest and highest destiny. 

With real estate in our possession valued at not less than 
$40,000, with a membership that includes some of the more 
active minded and physically strong of the men of our city ; 
some of whom are connected with the branches of business 
that give the best insight into the paths to prosperity, with 
every chance open to enterprise and success, we may look 
forward to a prosperity which the future can only positively 
reveal. 

Treasurer and Treasury. 

The important office of treasurer was filled by popular 
elections, the same as other offices ; in some cases with ex¬ 
pensive success. 

Our first treasurer made faithful collections, but after a 
few terms was counted short, and he took himself to parts 
unknown to the tune of five hundred dollars. 

The second treasurer was scrupulously careful and hon¬ 
est, and made his accounts and pennies agree to the last half 
cent. 


18 


One treasurer made his figures and accounts balance to a 
fraction, but was short in his funds about eleven hundred 
dollars and straightway a ship took him to distant parts. He 
was a faithful worker, paid all small drafts against the 
treasury, but the balance in his hands was kept there. 

Most of these transactions were under a system of 
“ bondsmen,” but in this case the bondsman had got rid of 
his property and nothing could be found or collected. 

One of the succeeding treasurers acted under a system of 
deposits by a committee appointed by the society, who were 
not always present to perform duty, and the treasurer made 
deposits in person. These were not always faithfully done 
and resulted in a shortage of some hundreds of dollars by the 
treasurer, who was debarred from membership, but after¬ 
ward made good his deficiency by paying monthly instal¬ 
ments to the society to reimburse it for said deficiency. 

Under the law of 1848 for incorporating benevolent and 
other societies, the society became incorporated 1869 and a 
stricter system of finance was adopted and' greater care en¬ 
sued. No loss has occurred under our present system. 

In consequence of the destruction of our books by fire, we 
cannot give a full statement of financial transactions, but the 
following is one which has been preserved from date as fol¬ 
lows : 


.TREASURER S KEPOKT. 


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$1148.17^ $1148.17^2 

Settled the above account with John Marander this 23rd day of Dec. 1814. 

j Peter Vogelsang- 
| Geo. Lawrence 




20 


Taking- three years of the financial accounts, the tollow- 
ing report shows the result of the examination of a careful 
committee. 

New York, Feb. 11, ’56. 

The Committee appointed by the N. Y. A. Society for 
Mutual Relief to examine the accounts of the treasurer for 
the last the fiscal years, from Sept. 1852 to Sept. 1855 inclu¬ 
sive, respectfully report as follows : 

At the last report dated Sept. 13, ’52, there was a bal¬ 
ance in treasurer’s hands of forty-five dollars, fifty-one cents 
($45.51). 

There has been collected for monthly dues during the 
above period the sum of five hundred and twenty-nine dol¬ 
lars, twenty-five cents ($529.25) as follows: From 1852 to 
1853 one hundred ninety-seven dollars, twenty-five cents 
($197.25) ; from 1853 to 1854 one hundred and eighty-four 
dollars, seventy-five cents ($184.75) ; from 1854 to 1855 one 
hundred forty-seven dollars, twenty-five cents ($147.25). 
There was also paid fifty cents for certificates, making a 
sum total paid by members of five hundred twenty-nine dol¬ 
lars, seventy-five cents ($529.75). 

The treasurer has collected for rents of Society’s build¬ 
ings during the same period the sum of two thousand ninety- 
eight dollars, ninety-two cents ($2,098.92) as follows, from 
1852 to 1853 seven hundred and eighty-four dollars, nineteen 
cents ($784.19); from 1853 to 1854 six hundred and forty-four 
dollars, forty-five cents ($644.45) ; from 1854 to 1855 six hun¬ 
dred and seventy dollars and twenty-eight cents ($670.28). 

The whole amount received by the treasurer for rents 
and monthly dues is two thousand six hundred and twenty- 
eight dollars, sixty-seven cents ($2,628.67), which with the 
balance in hand at last report of forty-five dollars, fifty-one 
cents ($45.51), making a total of two thousand six hundred 
and seventy-four dollars, eighteen cents ($2,674.18). 

There has been paid by treasurer on drafts duly audited 
the sum of two thousand twenty-three dollars, thirty-three 


21 


cents ($2,023.33), leaving- a balance in hands of treasurer of 
six hundred and fifty dollars, eighty-five cents ($650.85). 

We are indebted to treasurer on commission for collect¬ 
ing rents the sum of two hundred and nine dollars, eighty- 
nine cents ($209.89), being ten per cent, on two thousand 
ninety-eight dollars and ninety-two cents ($2,098.92). 

Your committee also find that the treasurer has paid the 
sum of six hundred and eighty-six dollars interest on bond, 
being seven half yearly payments of ninety-eight dollars 
each, whereas he has only drafts for five half yearly pay¬ 
ments of ninety-eight dollars each, which amounts to the 
sum of four hundred and ninety dollars ($490.00) ;—conse¬ 
quently we are indebted to him in September, 1852, for com¬ 
mission and interest the sum of four hundred and five dol¬ 
lars, eighty-nine cents ($405.89). 

Signed, 

Geo. Lawrence. 

Jas. C. Cowes. 

P. A. Bell. 

The existence of our society and the very flattering man¬ 
ner in which its legal power was established, brings us to 
consider that with all the faults of man caused by conditions 
over which perhaps he has but little control, he is to a great 
extent his own developer, and in a large degree makes his 
own condition or commands respect from his fellow man, by 
the elevation on which he erects himself or makes his aim in 
life. 

We may see that the combination we entered into and 
clung to with the aim of advancement was regarded as some¬ 
thing more than a temporary expedient, so the law-making 
power of the State declared that our organization should be 
capable in law of purchasing, holding and conveying any 
real estate for the use of said incorporation. A spirit of self- 
reliance commanded the necessary aid. 

Very many of the men that formed and maintained this 
society were known as mechanics and others of business hab- 


22 


its aiming at a better sphere in life, the aid afforded was 
doubtless looked upon as a stimulant. 

We mention here the following examples doing business in 
the city: William Hamilton, Sr., William Hamilton, Jr., 
James Latham, Edward Latham, house carpenters. Henry 
Byrnes, Richard Augustus, Alexander Elston, Prince Lover- 
idge, Isaac Gosiah, William Brooks, boot makers. Geo. De- 
Grasse, Thomas L. Jinnings, dealers in real estate. Peter 
Williams, Sr., E. Vincent, Ep. Davis, dealers in feed. Henry 
Scott, pickle manufacturer. Thomas Baggot, soap chandler. 
Thomas Downing, Boston Crummel, Moses Blew, Robert 
Watson, Peter Van Dyck, William A. Tyson, John Jackson, 
Francis Cook, oyster dealers or restaurateurs. Cato Alexan¬ 
der, inn keeper, to accommodate gentry riding out in first class 
vehicles or on horseback, near Shot Tower. William Hutson, 
intelligence office. Philip A. Bell, editor and publisher. 
Not least we mention Rev. William Miller, Rev. James Var- 
ick, Rev. Christopher Rush, Rev. Peter Williams, Jr., Rev. 
Thomas Paul, Rev. S. E. Cornish, Rev. Theo. S. Wright, 
Rev. John T. Raymond, Rev. Timothy Eato, ministers of 
our city churches. 

We can see that we are to aim at something ; be stead¬ 
fast in pursuit and know that though we may not equal 
those who have superior advantages, that nevertheless to get 
even a slight hold and add to it will strengthen the limbs, 
nerve the arm and be the true incentive to future prosperity 
and final success. 

A Report of the finances of the Society during the past 
few years shows a favorable state of facts. 

1887. The possession of the property 42 Baxter 


Street, valued at. $18,000.00 

Cash balance, 1886... 6,507.85 

Receipts for the year. 1,907.04 


$8,414.89 






23 


Paid out by drafts. $2,121.33 

Cash in hand. $6,293.56 

1888. Receipts for the year. 1,731.21 

$8,024.77 

Expended. 1,190.95 

$6,833.82 

1889. Receipts for the year. $2,515.48 

$9,349.30 

Expended. $7,514.36 

Balance, cash. $1,834.94 

1890. Receipts for the year. 2,881.38 

$4,716.32 

Expended. 1,753.02 

Balance. $2,963.30 

1891. Receipts to July,’91... 3,162.15 

$6,125.45 

Expended. 3,033.81 

Balance..■.$3,091.64 

Assets. 

Valuation of Baxter St. property. $20,000.00 

Valuation of Greenwich Ave. property. 17,000.00 

Cash deposited. 3,091.64 

$40,091.64 

Liabilities. 

Mortgage on house, 27 Greenwich Av. $10,000.00 





























I 


24 


MUTUAL RELIEF. 

AN ODE WRITTEN AND COMPOSED BY JAMES LATHAM, 

And sung at the Annual Celebration of the New York 
African Society for Mutual Relief, 

March 23, 1810. 

A noble end we have in view, to ease a brother’s grief; 

And mitigate each other’s ills, by mutual relief ; 

By mutual relief, by mutual relief, by mutual relief. 

By this judicious process, we will independent be 
Of those who very often spurn objects of charity. 

Objects of charity. 

To further our good designs our patrons have conferred 
Our patrons have conferred 
A law incorporating us, a law incorporating us 
On March the twenty-third. 

A law incorporating us, a law incorporating us 
On March the twenty-third, on March the twenty-third, 

On March the twenty-third. 

Thou hea’nly king who reigns on high, who mitigates our 
grief, 

Who taught us happiness consists in mutual relief ; 

In mutual relief. 

To thee we raise our highest notes in singing to thy praise, 
To thee we owe our gratitude till death shall end our days. 
Till death shall end our days. 

Hail, hail the twenty-third of March, 

Hail, the twenty-third of March and banish ev’ry grief, 
Advanced is the Society for Mutual Relief. 

For mutual relief, for mutual relief, for mutual relief. 

Chorus : 

Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah! 

Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah! 

Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah! Amen. 


25 


In a printed address delivered by Peter Williams, Jr., be¬ 
fore the New York African Society for Mutual Relief, on the 
1st of January, 1810, in the African Methodist Episcopal 
Church, it is said that 

The Society met at 2 o’clock p. m. at the school room of 
Rev. William Miller, Mulberry St., and proceeded in form to 
the African Church, where the service of the house com¬ 
menced with a prayer by the Rev. James Varick, chaplain. 
After the Constitution being- read by Mr. Aaron Lopez, an ad¬ 
dress was delivered by a member of the Society, and an an¬ 
them poem (Isaiah IX) set to music by Mr. J. Latham (a 
member of the society), was sung- on the occasion. The ser¬ 
vice was closed by a prayer of the Rev. Wm. Miller, assist¬ 
ant chaplain. The Society proceeded from the church to 
Courtlandt Street, where they partook of an elegant dinner 
provided by Mr. Stagg. 


HYMN SUNG AT SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF 

New York Afkican Society for Mutuae Reeief. 
Composed by William Hamilton 
And sung- under direction of J. Latham 
Before our first charter, January, 1810. 

In every devious stage of man’s 
Weak and precarious life, 

Though fortune deals .out pleasure full 
Or a full share of strife ; 

Still on each other aid do we 
Continually depend, 

And mutually should each to each 
Afford a helping hand. 

Perish should he whose sordid mind 
Knows of no care but self ; 

Whose hearing never is inclined 
To listen to distress. 


26 


I 


But blest is he and shall be blest, 
Whose feet are always brief 
To run with lib’ral hand to give 
Where wants require relief. 

Bound by strong friendship’s closest tie 
In social union, we 
Mutual relief and aid to give 
Each other do agree ; 

So to fulfill a law divine 
By God of nature writ 
And meliorate the many ills 
By which life is beset. 

With undiminished zeal let us 
Pursue the path begun, 

And ever where our duty calls 
With cheerful footsteps run. 

Still let our steady purpose be 
To banish ev’ry grief, 

By acts of kindness, social love 
And Mutual Relief. 


27 


INCORPORATORS AND CHARTER MEMBERS, 
1808 and 1809. 


William Hamilton, 
Adam Carman, 
Daniel B. Brownhill, 
Samuel Charley, 
Benjamin Slighter, 
Henry Somerville, 
Adam Crump, 
Charles Clark, 

Wm. B. Brown, 
Jacob Hutson, 

Peter Syms, 

William Hammond, 
Aaron Guy, 

Edward Dickerson, 
Scipio Phillips, 
Sylvanus Smith, 
Caesar Hewton, 

John Marander, 
Samuel Hardenburg, 
Alexander Oliver, 
Thomas Miller, 

Geo. Knowles, 
Nelson Rollins, 
William Jones, 
Abram Cantine, 
Felix Boss, 

Daniel Swan, 
Charles Potter, 

John A. Johnson, 
John Rich, 

William Simpson, 


Wm. Pentecost, 
John Cannun, 

John Teasman, 
Daniel Berry, 
James McEwen, 
Richard Tankard, 
William Thomas, 
John Eindse) 7 , 
Joseph Phillips, 
Abram Arnolds, 
Francis T. Bull, 
Alex Grant, 
Edward Pew, 
Henry Heddy, 

Jas. Parker, 
Joshua Young, 
John T. Tate, 
John Burchell, 
Moses Evans, 

Gaff Van Clief, 
Peter Huggins, 
Peter McNeal, 
Andrew Williams, 
Tippo Gerhard, 
Philip Butler, 
Stephen Hannible, 
John Burns, 

Wm. E. Nichols, 
Peter Nott, 

James Anderson, 
John Washington, 



28 


Joseph Valier, 

Chas. Bootman, 

George Brown, 

Geo. Collins, 

Francis William 

Gilbert Serrington, 

Thomas Johnson, 

Robt. H. Hunt, 

Henry Simpkins, 

Fsop Hicks, 

Adam Ray, 

Epiphany Davis, 

Henry Rouse, 

James Roberts, 

Samuel Clause, 

Francis Cook, 

David Gunn, 

John Bees, 

John Lewis, 

Joseph Bono, 

John Anderson, 

Eli Hamilton, 

Philip Jenkins, 

Aaron Grey, 

Jesse Davis, 

Thomas Nichols, 

John Carter, 

Lewis Courtland, 

Peter Bayne, 

Bristor Page, 

James Irvin, 

Benj. Johnson, 

Benj. Smith, 

Henry Burton, 

James Townsend. 

MEMBERS. 

Boston Crummell, Aug. 19, 

John Carter, March 19, 1817. 

1811. 

Joseph Thompson, March 19, 

George Lawrence, Feb. 10, 

1818. 

1812. 

John Robinson, March 16, 

Chas. C. Brown, June 14, 

1818. 

1813. 

Thomas Zabriskie, Sept. 14, 

Geo. DeGrasse, March 13, 

1818. 

1815. 

Robert J. Williams, March 19, 

Sam’l. Fnnals, Aug. 9 1813. 

1819. 

John Anderson, Jan. 9, 1815. 

Daniel Swan, June 14, 1819. 

Cato Alexander, April 8, 

Eli Hamilton, June 14, 1819. 

1816. 

Peter Nott, June 14, 1819. 

Neptune Birdsall, June 9, 

John A. Johnson, Aug. 9, 

1817. 

1819. 


29 


Aaron L. Poyer, 1819. 

Thomas L. Jinnlngs, 1819. 
Caleb Willets, 1819. 

James M. Clark, 1819. 

Win. J. Poyer, Dec. 19, 1814. 
Moses Blew, June 12, 1820. 
John Cannon, July 10, 1820. 
Edward Dickerson, Aug - . 14, 

1820. 

James C. Cowes, Aug-. 14, 
1820. 

William Gibbs, Sept. 11, 
1820. 

Thomas Hoffman, April 19, 

1821. 

Henry Byrnes, April 19, 1821. 
Sam’l. Hutchings, Sept. 8, 
1819, 

Henry Scott, Dec. 10, 1821. 
Cornelius Johnson, Feb. 11, 

1822. 

Ralph Dickerson, Nov. 11, 
1822. 

Thomas Downing, March 19, 

1823. 

Alexander Elston, Dec. 8, 
1823. 

William Fenwick, Dec. 8, 

1823. 

Henry Carter, June 14, 1824. 
Philip Lacy, Aug. 9, 1824. 
Isaac Gosiah, Aug. 9, 1824. 
Richard Johnson, Nov. 8, 

1824. 

Prince Loveridge, March 22, 
1827. 


Lewis Barnett, May 9, 1831. 
James Porter, May 9, 1831. 
Philip A. Bell, Feb. 11, 1833. 
Wm. J. Poyer, June 10, 1833. 
George Chatters, July' 8, 

1833. 

Jacob Francis, Aug. 12, 

1833. 

John J. Washington, Sept. 
19, 1833. 

Rex Jordon, March 10, 1834. 
Geo. A. Beckett, March 10, 

1834. 

John Peterson, March 19, 

1835. 

Eli Hazard, July 13, 1835. 
Henry Michael, April 14, 

1834. 

Thomas Harris, Aug. 10, 

1835. 

Jacob Stans, 1835. 

Charles Horton, March 14, 

1836. 

Wm. H. Webster, May 9, 

1836. 

Alexander Patrick, Aug. 8, 

1836. 

John Conyers, Nov. 14, 1836. 
Isaac Bristow, Feb. 13, 1837. 
Medit Nixon, March 13, 1837. 
William Gibbs, April 10, 

1837. 

Kingston Pease, May 8, 1837. 
Peter Nichols, June 19, 1837. 
Washington Parker, July 10, 

1837. 


30 


Edward Latham, Sept. 11, 

1837. 

Edward Aldridge, Oct. 9, 

1837. 

John S. Melvin, Nov. 13, 

1837. 

Henry W. Brown, Nov. 13, 

1837. 

Jacob Wilson, Jan. 8, 1838. 
James Young, Jan. 8, 1838. 
John D. Connor, Feb. 12, 

1838. 

Robert J. Cowes, June 11, 

1838. 

David Copland, June 11, 

1838. 

Matthias Van Stay, June 11, 

1838. 

James A. Smith, Sept. 20, 

1838. 

Abraham Carpenter, June 11, 
1838. 

William H. Griggs, Nov. 12, 
1838. 

William Renssalaer, Sept. 10, 
1838. 

George Green, Dec. 10, 1838. 
Timothy Seaman, Dec. 10, 

1838. 

Albro Lyons, Dec. 10, 1838. 
Francis L. Giraud, Jan. 12, 

1839. 

Dunbar Brown, Jan. 12, 1839. 
Jacob Dorrall, Jan. 12, 1839. 
Lewis Bodine, Feb. 11, 1839. 
Joseph Titus, Feb. 11, 1839. 


Glasgow Walker, Feb. 11, 

1839. 

John B. Wilson, March 11, 

1839. 

William W. Essex, March 11, 

1839. 

John J. Zuille, April 8, 1839. 
Nicholas Vick, June 10, 1839. 
Felix Guinan, Aug. 13, 1839. 
Sheperd Reed, Sept. 9, 1839. 
Henry Stoughtenbergh, Sept. 
9,1839. 

George Harrison, Sept. 9, 

1839. 

Daniel F. A. Tilghman, Sept. 
9, 1839. 

George Pernell, Sept. 9, 1839. 
Paul Shields, Oct. 14, 1839. 
John Smyth, Dec. 9, 1839. 
Henry Williams, Dec. 9, 1839. 
William P. Powell, Jan. 13, 

1840. 

Enos. E. Waterford, March 9, 

1840. 

Harman Canum, March 9, 

1840. 

Ackerman Hardenbergh, Mar. 
9, 1840. 

Charles Anderson, March 9, 

1840. 

John W. Crump, March 9, 

1840. 

John Osborn, March 9, 1840. 
Charles B. Ray, March 9, 
1840. 

Henry Buckley, June 9, 1840. 


31 


Edward Augustus Poussaint, 
June 9, 1840. 

James Hunt, Aug. 13, 1840. 
Charles Wilmore, June 8, 

1840. 

Isaac Treadwell, June 8, 

1840. 

John Gardner, Aug. 13, 1840. 
George A. Bodee, Aug. 13, 
1840. 

Isaac M. Mathews, Sept. 14, 
1840. 

Patrick Brown, Oct. 12, 1840. 
Charles Webb, Nov. 9, 1840. 
Richard Baltimore, Dec. 14, 

1840. 

Henry Jackson, Jan. 11, 1841. 
John Seymour, March 8, 

1841. 

James White, March 8, 1841. 
John Johnson, May 10, 1841. 
William H. Jamison, April 
12, 1841. 

Samuel P. Francis, May 10, 

1841. 

Charles Lewis, June 14, 1841. 
Benjamin Fisher, July 12, 
1841. 

Francis C. Lippin, July 12, 
1841. 

William C. P. Bryce, July 
12, 1841. 

Charles Gibbons, Aug. 9, 
1841. 

Henry Stephens, Aug. 9, 
1841. 


George Washington, Aug. 9, 
1841. 

David Cantine, Sept. 13, 1841. 
James McCune Smith, Sept. 

13, 1841. 

Benj. Myers, Nov. 8, 1841. 
Sampson White, Nov. 8, 1841. 
William M. Lively, M. D., 
Nov. 8, 1841. ” 

Samuel Byrnes, Nov. 8, 1841. 
Samuel M. Giles, Nov. 8, 
1841. 

Samuel Thompson, Dec. 13, 
1841. 

Charles Cephas, Dec. 13, 

1841. 

William H. Mitchell, March 

14, 1842. 

Geo. D. Jamison, March 14, 

1842. 

Samuel Ditcher, July 11, 

1842. 

Geo. Harvey, Nov. 14, 1842. 
Alexander Duncan, Jan. 9, 

1843. 

Joseph Anthony, Feb. 13, 

1843. 

Francis Harley, March 13, 

1843. 

E. Jackson, Dec. 19 1843. 
Thos. Hodge, Dec. 19, 1843. 
Edward V. Clark, Jan. 9, 

1844. 

Henry Deman, Feb. 12, 1844. 
John L. Brown, Feb. 12, 

1844. 


32 


Abm. M. Mathews, April 8, 

1844. 

David Rose, April 8, 1844. 
John Rock, April 8, 1844. 
Hiram Phillips, July 8, 1844. 
William C. Eoveridge, July 8, 

1844. 

Nelson Cook, Aug-. 12, 1844. 
Geo. L. Phillips, Aug. 12, 

1844. 

Nicholas White, Aug. 12, 
1844. 

William H. Bogardus, Sept. 
9, 1844. 

John W. Campbell, Sept. 9, 

1844. 

Anthony Jones, Oct. 12,1844. 
Peter Dudley, Oct. 12, 1844. 
Isaac Wright, Dec. 9, 1844. 
Benj. S. Jackson, Jan. 13, 

1845. 

Aaron R. Hewlett, March 10, 

1845. 

Abram P. Davis, May 12, 

1845. 

Edward DeShay, Sept. 13, 

1847. 

James H. Adams, July 14, 

1845. 

Isaac Green, Aug. 11, 1845. 
John M. Dolan, Sept. 8, 1845. 
William Jackson, Sept. 8, 
1815. 

Geo. H. Robertson, Feb. 9, 

1846. 

Edward Thene, Feb. 11, 1846. 


Peter H. Stevens, July 13, 

1846. 

Samuel Freeland, Oct. 12, 

1846. 

Edward Gray, Feb. 8, 1847. 
Stephen Abbott, May 10, 

1847. 

James H. Lodine, March 13, 

1848. 

Jermiah G. Floyd, March 13, 

1848. 

Amos Davis, May 8, 1848. 
Armstrong Archer, June 12, 
1848. 

Harry Harder, Aug. 14, 1848. 
Richard B. Elliott, Sept. 11, 
1848. 

Daniel R. Black, Feb. 11, 
1848. 

Nathaniel Stubbs, Dec. 11, 

1848. 

Isaac Anders, April 9, 1849. 
James Moore, May 14. 1849. 
William H. Buley, July 9, 

1849. 

Francis Harris, July 13, 1849. 
Richard Davenpprt, Aug. 13, 

1849. 

Fisher Sampson, Sept. 10, 
1849. 

J. Blair Webb, Oct. 8, 1849. 
Daniel J. Elston, Oct. 8, 
1849. 

Peter Vogelsang, Dec. 9, 
1849. 

Arnold Ricks, Sept. 9, 1850. 


33 


Wm. A. Elston, Aug-. 

10, 

Richard Davenport, re-instat¬ 

1863. 


ed Dec. 14, 1868. 

James Bays, Oct. 14, 1866. 


Geo. P. Vogelsang, Dec. 14, 

James E. Stotes, April 

8, 

1868. 

1867. 


Daniel. R. Black, re-instated 

Walter B. Williams, March 

Dec. 14, 1868. 

9, 1868. 


Thomas Ward, April 8, 1868. 

Alfred J. Aldridg-e, May 

11, 

James C. Mayhew, March 8, 

1868. 


1869. 

Geo. A. Manning, June 14, 1869. 

PRESENT MEMBERS- 

-WHEN INITIATED. 

Anthony, Wm. H. 


.Feb. 8, 1869 

Avery, L. S. 


.June 9, 1879 

Barreau, F. E. 


.May 10, 1880 

Beekman, Geo. B. 


.March 11, 1878 

Black, D. R. 


.Dec. 14, 1868 

Boyer, Thomas C. 


.Nov. 13, 1876 

Butler, Frederick. 


.June 8, 1881 

Bicknell, F. A. 


.April 13, 1885 

Braxton, J. R. 


.May 10, 1886 

Brown, Wm. W. 


.Dec. 13, 1886 

Brown, A. 


.June 13, 1887 

Berrian, C. M. 


.July 11, 1887 

Cunningham, Henry. 


.July 12, 1875 

Conick, J. W. 


.July 12, 1886 

Carter, W. H. 


.Dec. 8, 1890 

Davis, W. S. 


.July 12, 1886 

Davis, John JI. 


.Feb. 13, 1888. 

Dias, John W. 


.Sept. 14 1891. 

Eato, E. V. C. 


.Nov. 12, 1877 

Francis, T. B. 


.Sept. 13, 1880 

Girard, Francis L. 


.Jan. 12, 1839 

Graves, Isaac A. 


.Sept. 10, 1883 

Hutchings, Solomon W.. . 


.April 12, 1886 

Harding, Harry D. 


.Sept. 13, 1886 



























34 


Hicks, John.April 11, 1887 

Holbrook, E. B.Aug-. 8, 1887 

Hicks, Jacob T.Aug-. 8, 1887 

Johnson, E. C.March 10, 1879 

Jackson, Thomas.Feb. 14, 1881 

Jones, Thomas B.March 8, 1886 

Jackson, Jr., Thomas H.April 12, 1886 

Johnson, William Russel.Jan. 10, 1886 

Kissam, Warren S.Dec. 13, 1886 

Linwood, James E..May 10,1887 

Lansing-, Jr., Chas H.April 8, 1889 

Manning-, Geo. A.June 14, 1869 

Mars, Wm. A.June 14, 1869 

McKiel, T. B.Aug-. 9, 1880, 

McCombs, Alfred.March 8, 1886 

Murray, V. C.Aug-. 9, 1886 

Rutledg-e, J. W.Feb. 13, 1871 

Spelman, John B.June 11, 1877 

Saunders, M. P.Sept. 13, 1880 

Swan, Robert L.Feb. 14, 1881 

Stanley, Frank.Sept. 13, 1886 

Smith, W. H.April 11, 1887 

Shepherd, T. F.April 11, 1887 

Van Harler, Moore.Dec. 11, 1871 

Vog-elsang-, John.Jan 14, 1878 

Vog-elsang-, Geo. P.Dec. 14, 1885 

Van Harler, Chas.May 10, 1886 

Vaug-han, Wm. H.April 11, 1887 

Vaug-han, John H.April 8, 1889 

Walley, Joel R.April 12, 1869 

West, Stephen A.Sept. 11, 1871 

Williams, Jas. P.March 8, 1886 

Warren, W. B.April 11, 1887 

Wilson, Albert.April 11, 1887 

Zuille, John J.April 8, 1839 






































35 


EXEMPT FROM DUES FOR OVER TWENTY 
YEARS’ SERVICE. 


Francis L. Girard, 
John J. Zuille, 


Wm. H. Anthony, 
Joel R. Walley, 
Geo. A. Manning-, 
J. W. Rutledg-e. 


Moore Van Harter, 
William A. Mars, 


PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 

October 10, 1892. 


Gentlemen :— 

As we assemble to-night at the close of another year to 
review the past and arrang-e for the future of our society, our 
whole country is aroused with deep patriotism in celebrating 
an event,—the 400th anniversary of the discovery of our 
country. Little did Christopher Columbus think as he 
started on his exploring- expedition from the old country, 
that he would open to the eyes of civilization and to genera¬ 
tions unborn, one of the grandest and noblest countries in 
the world. A country which was to take foremost rank 
among- all the great nations of the earth. 

We, as a part of its citizens, have a right to enter most 
heartily in the event, for in establishing its great financial 
wealth, in the cultivation and enriching of its soil, etc., no 
nationality has played a more conspicuous part than the 
colored American citizen. For over two centuries and a half 
we have labored under severe burdens and unjust proscrip¬ 
tions, but when relieved from them, the manhood of the man 
was shown by his entering into those rights withheld, with 
confidence, believing 


“ That right is right—since God is God, 
And right the day shall win ; 

To doubt would be disloyalty, 

To falter would be sin.” 



36 


This society, during* the past century, has performed its 
part, and is an example of what concentration of efforts will 
accomplish. I am pleased to state that our financial affairs 
have shown an increase during* the past several years. 

trustee’s duties. 

The powers of trustees may excite discussion as to their 
limit, but it should not produce any spirit, of antagonism. 
The spirit of the law and the powers of trustees by the laws 
of our State are such, that the Society itself and the trustees 
can work together in harmony—laying* aside all feeling's of 
superiority—and cause our machinery of work to g*lide 
smoothly along* without conflict. For the primary object of 
our society is to care for our sick, bury the dead and g*ive 
care and protection to their families. 

SICK MEMBERS. 

I would emphasize the necessity that each member should 
forward proper notice in case of sickness, and during* the 
period of illness. There may be a discrepancy in words 
alone, in our By-Laws, but that it is the intent of them that 
visitation should be made during illness, we all must agree. 
Aside from the financial aid, our Committee on Sick is ex¬ 
pected to look after their other necessities, when called upon. 


Mr. D. R. Black died on January 14th, 1892. He was 
one of the oldest members, for years a seafaring man, 
without any near relatives. It devolved on our Secretary, 
Mr. Barreau, to look after him in his declining days. He 
was buried from the A. M. E. Zion Church and interred at 
Cypress Hills Cemetery. 

OUR history. 

No one among our ranks of living members could more 
fitly fill the position of historian than Mr. John J. Zuille. 
For over fifty years an active member,—during his entire life 
a resident of our city, acting at all times in the public affairs 



37 




n 


of our people, filling- creditably positions of trust and re¬ 
sponsibility, his knowledge of men, circumstances, etc., was 
great: his retentive memory as to facts, data, etc., fully 
equipped him for the position to compile a history of the 
start, growth and progress of the New York African Society 
for Mutual Relief. This has been accomplished and we 
anticipate it with considerable interest. 

We feel that in the future some historian who may write 
the history of America and its progress, will be glad to add 
some little tribute to our work of benevolence. 

In conclusion, for your repeated proofs of confidence in 
re-electing me to this office, accept my thanks, and let us 
believe that still greater success awaits us. 

I am fraternally yours, 


N. Y., Oct. 10, 1892. 


E. V. C. EATO. 


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 


New York, September 30th, 1892. 

Mr. President and Feeeow Members : 

The Board of Trustees in presenting this, their annual 
report, offer you their congratulations on the success which 
has attended the Association, notwithstanding the fact that 
the claims resulting from sickness have been more numerous 
than during previous years. You have listened to the report 
submitted by the Treasurer, and you will note that our dis¬ 
bursements for the year were very largely increased by a 
payment of $3,000 on the mortgage held against our property, 
No. 27 Greenwich Avenue, also that the payments on account 
of sickness reached the unusual amount of $420. We are 
compelled to report one death, that of Mr. D. R. Black, one 
of our oldest and most respected members. 

Still, we should look upon any such contributions as a 
work of benevolence in that the living contribute their mite 



38 


to the families of their late associates. Taking’ this view we 
have therefore greatly extended our field of usefulness. 

There is no study so interesting- and improving- to the 
individual as that of benevolence as applied in our social re¬ 
lations, and for eig-hty-two years this Society to which we 
belong- has been proclaimed throug-hout the State and country 
as the leading- institution in rendering- aid and g-enerous 
service to all who come under its wing-. 

Mr, President, this Society has never been discredited or 
dishonored ; it was elastic enough to meet its great and ex¬ 
pansive needs, and judging by its past, we can prophesy only 
a glorious and successful future. 

The pages of our early History contain the names of 
such men as Alex. Elston, Peter Vogelsang, Edw. Latham, 
Arnold Ricks, Isaac Gosiah, John J. Zuille, A. A. Lively, 
Jas. Bays and William E. Elston, and when we call to mind 
their unselfish support and earnest efforts to bring this 
Society through its infancy and to a strong and healthy man¬ 
hood, it seems to me that we are all under the most binding 
obligations to perfect and perpetuate our existence as a 
Society. 

J. W. RUTLEDGE, Chairman. 


Rents from No. 42 Baxter Street.$ 1,200.00 

Rents from No. 27 Greenwich Avenue. 1,290.00 

Monthly Dues. 141.00 

Ex-Treasurer J. E. Stotes. 25.00 

Rebates. 6.25 

Interest. 73.39 

$ 2,735.64 

Balance on hand October 1, 1891. 3,406.71 

$ 6,142.35 

Expenditures. 4,905.11 

Cash in Banks.$ 1,237.24 

Value of Property, No. 42 Baxter Street. 20,000.00 


No. 27 Greenwich Avenue.... 20,000.00 

$ 41,237.24 
















39 


ITEMIZED ACCOUNT OF EXPENSES. 


Paid on account of mortgage.$ 3,000.00 

Sick Dues. 390.00 

Gratuity. 286.20 

Real Estate Taxes. 304.00 

Interest. 458.33 

Water Taxes. 17.00 

For Salaries, Repairs, Printing and Expenses. 449.58 


S 4,905.11 


WM. H. ANTHONY, Treasurer. 

This is to certify we have carefully examined the 
accounts of the Board of Trustees and have found them 
correct. 

( CHAS. H. LANSING, Jr., Chairman. 
■{ W. B. WARREN, 

( W. H. CARTER, Jr. 


ANNUAL REPORT OF SECRETARY. 


To the Members of the New York African Society for 
Mutual Relief. 

Gentlemen :— 

I have the honor to make the following report for the 
year ending September 30th, 1892. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

During the past year we have lost one member, Mr. D. R. 
Black, of Cuttyhunk, Mass. He died in the city on the 14th 
of January, 1892, and was buried by the Society from Zion 
Church. 

The membership now remains at fifty-eight, no new 
member having been admitted this year, as the new Constiu- 
tion adopted July 21, 1891, limits the membership to fifty. 
At the time of the adoption of the new Constitution the 













40 


membership amounted to fifty-nine, and so that no member 
in excess of the fifty should in any way loose any of his 
privileges the following- motion was adopted. 

Resolved that none of the present membership will be 
considered as waiving- any right guaranteed under said Con¬ 
stitution where such membership dates before the adoption 
of this Constitution. 

SICK AID. 

During the past year they have paid to sick members 
$390.00. 

GRATUITY. 

Balance of gratuity of Mr. L. G. Miller. 


Paid to Mr. C. G. Bowser.$175 00 

Funeral expenses of Mr. D. R. Black.111.20 

$286.20 


EXEMPT FROM PAYMENT OF DUES. 

During the past year their has been placed on the exempt 
list two members, Messrs. M. Van Harter and S. A. West, for 
twenty years’ membership. There are now ten members on 
the exempt list. 

MORTGAGE. 

During the past year the sum of three thousand dollars 
have been paid on the mortgage of the Greenwich Avenue 
house, leaving a balance of seven thousand. 

HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY. 

Mr. J. J. Zuille, ex-President of the Society, has been 
engaged for some time preparing a History of the Society 
which will be ready for distribution at an early date. 

RECEIPTS. 

The receipts for the year ending September 30th, 1892, 
from all sources amount to $2,735.64. 

Rent of houses, monthly dues, etc. 

Respectfully, 


F. C. BARREAU. 





41 


CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE NEW 
YORK AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR 
MUTUAL RELIEF. 


State of New York, ^ 

State and County of New York. \ ss ‘ 

We, the undersigned, Alexander Elston, William M. Live¬ 
ly, Peter Vogelsang, Edward Latham, John J. Zuille, Isaac 
Gosiah, Arnold Ricks, William A. Elston, James Bays and 
James E. Stokes, of the City and County of New York, do by 
these presents pursuant to and in conformity with the Act 
of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed on the 
12th day of April, 1848, entitled “ An Act for the incorpora¬ 
tion of benevolent, charitable, scientific and missionary 
societies, and the several acts of the Legislature amendatory 
thereto, associate ourselves together, and form a body politic 
and corporate, and do hereby certify :— 

First. That the corporate name of said company or 
society is “The New York African Society for Mutual 
Relief.” 

Second. That the objects for which the said society is 
formed shall be as follows : 

To raise a fund to be appropriated exclusively toward the 
support of such of the members of said society as shall by 
reason of sickness or infirmity, or either, be incapable of at¬ 
tending to their usual vocation or employment, and also 
toward the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased 
members. 

Third. That the number of trustees of the said society 
shall be five. 

Fourth. That the names of the trustees shall be John 
J. Zuille, James E. Stokes, Edward DeShay, William H. 
Anthony and Arnold Ricks, who shall be such trustees and 
who shall manage the concerns and affairs of the corporation 
or society for the first year. 



Fifth. That the operations of said corporation shall be 
carried on in the City and County of New York. 


Alexander Elston, 
Peter Vogelsang, 
Edward Latham, 
Arnold Ricks, 
Isaac Gosiah, 


John J. Zuille, 
James E. Stotes, 
William M. Lively, 
Janies Bays, 
William A. Elston. 


Dated New York, June 19, 1869. 


State of New York, [ 

City and County of New York, j ss * 

On this nineteenth day of June, one thousand eight 
hundred and sixty-nine, before me personally came and 
appeared Alexander Elston, Peter Vogelsang, Edward 
Latham, John J. Zuille, Isaac Gosiah, Arnold Ricks, William 
M. Lively, William A. Elston, James Bays and James E. 
Stotes, of the City and County of New York, to me person¬ 
ally known, and known to me to be the persons described in 
and who signed the foregoing instrument or paper, and 
who signed the foregoing instrument or paper in my 
presence, and each of said persons at the same time acknowl¬ 
edged to me that they signed and executed the same for the 
uses and purposes herein mentioned. 

WM. P. POWELL, 
Notary Public, 

City and County of New York. 


I approve of the within certificate of incorporation, and 
consent that the same be filed pursuant to the statute in such 
cases made and provided. 

D. P. INGRAHAM, Justice. 

Dated June 21, 1869. 

State of New York, ) 

Office of the Secretary of State, j ss * 

It is hereby certified that the certificate of incorporation 
of the “New York African Society for Mutual Relief,” with 


43 


acknowledgment thereto annexed, was received and filed in 
this office on the twenty-fourth of June, 1869. 

Witness my hand and seal of the office of the Secretary 
of State, at Albany, this twenty fourth day of June, one 
thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine. 

(l.s.) D. WILLIS, Jr., 

Deputy Secretary of State. 


ORIGINAL CHARTER. 


Ax Azt Incorporating the New York African Society 
for Mutual Relief, Passed by the Legislature of 
the State*of New York, March 23, 1810. 

Whereas, a number of individuals of color have formed 
themselves into an association or society to which they have 
given the name of the New York African Society for Mutual 
Relief, the object of which is to raise a fund to be appropri¬ 
ated exclusively toward the support of such of the members 
as shall by reason of sickness or infirmity be incapable of 
attending to their usual vocation or employment, and also 
toward the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased 
members, and the said society have, by their petition to the 
Legislature, prayed to be incorporated : 

And Whereas, the views of the said petitioners appear 
to be laudable and worthy of legislative patronage and assis¬ 
tance, Therefore— 

Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York , 
represented in Senate and Assembly, That such persons as now 
are or hereafter may become members of the aforesaid asso¬ 
ciation or society shall be and are hereby ordained, consti¬ 
tuted and appointed a body corporate and politic in fact and 
in name, by the name and style of “The New York African 
Society for Mutual Relief,” and that by that name they and 
their successors shall and may have succession, and shall be 




44 


in law capable of suing- and being- sued, pleaded and being- 
impleaded, defended and being defended, in all courts and 
places whatsoever, in all manner of action and actions, suits, 
matters, complaints and causes whatsoever, and that they 
and their successors may have and use a common seal, and 
may change and alter the same at their pleasure ; and also, 
that they and their successors, by the name and style of The 
New York African Society for Mutual Relief, shall be capable 
in law of purchasing, holding and conveying any real or per¬ 
sonal estate for the use of said corporation, Provided That 
the value of such real and personal estate shall not at any 
time exceed the sum of two thousand dollars per annum. 

And be it farther enacted , That for the better carrying 
into effect the objects of the said corporation there shall be 
a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant 
Secretary and a Standing Committee consisting of eight 
members, who shall hold their offices for one year, or until 
others shall be elected in their room ; that such elections 
shall be held at such times and places as the said corporation 
by their constitution shall direct; that all the aforesaid officers 
shall be elected by ballot by a majority of the members 
present at such election; and that in case any vacancy or 
vacancies shall happen in either of the said offices by resig¬ 
nation, death or otherwise, such vacancies shall and may be 
filled up for the remainder of the year in which they may 
respectively happen by a special election for that purpose, to 
be held in the same manner as the said annual elections, at 
such times and places as the said corporation may by their 
by-laws appoint and direct. 

And be it further enacted , That William Hamilton shall 
be the first President, John Teasman the first Vice-President, 
Henry Sipkins the first Secretary, Adam Carman the first 
Assistant Secretary, Daniel Berry the first Treasurer, and 
Adam Ray, Daniel B. Brownhill, James M’Euen, Henry 
Rouse, Sam’l Charley, Richard Tankard, Samuel Clause, 
Benjamin Slighter, the first Standing Committee—to hold 


45 


their offices respectively for one year or until others shall be 
elected in their room. 

And be it further enacted, That the said corporation or 
their successors shall have power from time to time to make 
and establish by-laws and to alter and amend the same, as 
they from time to time shall judge proper for appointing 
the times and places for electing officers ; for the admission 
of new members of the said corporation, and the terms, con¬ 
ditions and manner of such admission, and the amount of the 
sums which each member shall contribute to the funds of the 
corporation, and the time and manner of paying the same ; 
and also for the management, disposition and application of 
the property, estate, effects and funds of the said corporation, 
for the purpose of carrying into effect the objects thereof, 
and for fixing the times and places of the meetings of the said 
corporation, and the manner of conducting the proceedings 
of such meetings; and touching the duties and conduct of the 
officers of the corporation, and for imposing penalties for 
breaking or violating any of the by-laws, and also such other 
matters as appertain to the business and purposes for which 
the said corporation is by this act constituted, and for no 
other purposes whatsoever : Provided always, That such by¬ 
laws and penalties imposed for violating them or any of them 
be not repugnant to the Constitution and laws of the United 
States or of this State. 

And be it further enacted, That when any member of the 
said corporation shall violate and break any of the by-laws 
so made as aforesaid, or shall become liable to any penalty 
imposed by any of the said by-laws, and shall neglect or re¬ 
fuse to pay the same, it shall and may be lawful in every 
such case for the said corporation to expel such members 
from said corporation; Provided always, that no members 
shall be expelled otherwise than by the votes of at least two- 
thirds of all the members present, at one of the stated meet¬ 
ings of said corporation. 


46 


And be it further enacted, That every member expelled 
from the said corporation in the manner prescribed in the 
preceding- article shall thereafter be prevented from having 
or receiving- any benefit, emolument or advantag-e whatsoever 
from the funds, property or estate of the said corporation, 
and that all payments or advances made by such member to 
the funds of the said corporation shall be forfeited to the 
same. 

And be it further enacted, That this act shall be and re¬ 
main in full force and virtue for the term of fifteen years, 
and no long-er ; Provided, nevertheless, That incase the afore¬ 
said society, shall at any time divert from or appropriate 
their or any part of their funds to any purpose or purposes 
whatsoever other than those intended and contemplated by 
this act, and shall thereof be convicted by due course of law, 
that thenceforth the said corporation shall cease, and the 
estate real and personal whereof it may then be seized and 
possessed, shall vest in the people of this State; And provided 
That nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent 
the Legislature at any time, in their discretion, within the 
period aforesaid, from altering or repealing this act. 

And be it further enacted. That this act is hereby declared 
to be a public act, and that the same be construed in all courts 
favorably and benignly for every beneficial jpurpose therein 
contained. 


State of New York, ) 

Secretary's Office. J 

I certify the preceding to be a true Copy of a Law on 
file in this office. 

DANIEL HALE, Secretary. 

Albany, May 1, 1810. 




47 


[.Extract from the Laws of New York for 1825. ] 
CHAPTER LXVII. 

An Act to extend an Act entitled, “An Act Incorporating the 
New York African Society for Mutual Reliefs Passed 
the 2yd day of March, 1810. (Passed March 2j, 1825.) 

Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, 
represented in Senate and Assembly, That the “ Act incorpor¬ 
ating- the New York African Society for Mutual Relief,” 
passed the twenty-third day of March, in the year of our 
Lord, one thousand eig-ht hundred and ten, be, and is hereby, 
continued for the further term of fifteen years, from and 
after the twenty-third day of March next. 


[Similar Act passed March 2j, 184.0 .] 









CONSTITUTION 


PREAMBLE. 

We, the undersigned, reflecting upon the various viscis- 
situdes of life to which mankind is continually exposed, and 
stimulated by a desire to improve our condition, do conclude 
that the most efficient method of protecting ourselves from 
the extreme exigincies to which we are liable to be reduced, 
is to unite in an organization for the purpose of raising a 
fund for the relief of its members. In view of this we have 
formed ourselves into a society with the pleasing hope of 
relieving the occasional distresses of each other by mutual 
endeavor, and we do jointly agree to the following terms as 
the articles of our Constitution. 

ARTICLE I. 

This society shall be known as “The New York 
African Society for Mutual Relief.” 

ARTICLE II. 

Section 1 . The total membership of this society shall 
not exceed fifty ( 50 ) persons, who shall be elected by ballot. 

Section 2 . Applications for membership must be pre¬ 
sented at a regular meeting in writing; the member present¬ 
ing an application must vouch for the applicant’s character; 
one-half of initiation fee to accompany application. All 
applications must be referred to a membership committee for 
report. The Society Physician must examine all applicants. 

Section 3 . A candidate for membership, when reported 
favorably to the Society, shall be balloted for at a regular 
meeting, and if a majority of the members present vote in 
his favor, he shall be considered elected ; must sign the con¬ 
stitution and pay the balance of initiation fee. 



50 


Section 4 . A candidate neglecting- for six months after 
his election to present himself for initiation, shall forfeit his 
membership; in such case his election shall be null and void, 
and any money paid by him to the Society shall be returned 
to him. 


ARTICLE III. 

Section 1 . The initiation fee for membership shall be 
One Hundred Dollars ($ 100 .) and monthly dues twenty-five 
cents. 

Section 2 . Twenty years’ membership in good financial 
standing shall exempt members from payment of dues. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Section 1 . The officers of this Society shall consist of a 
President, Vice-President, Secretary and five Trustees. 

Section 2. All officers shall be elected annually by 
ballot, viz.: on the second Monday in October of each year. 

Section 3. The elected officers shall be installed at the 
first regular meeting of the Society after such election. 

Section 4 . Should a vacancy occur in any of the above 
offices by death, resignation or otherwise, a special election 
shall be held to fill such vacancy. 

ARTICLE V. 

Section 1 . The President shall preside over and pre¬ 
serve order at all meetings of the Society, state all motions, 
put all questions, announce the result of all votes, prevent 
any member from speaking when not directed to the chair, 
determine who shall speak first, when more than one rises ; 
sign all orders for the payment of all accounts properly in¬ 
curred and duly audited, and have a casting vote in case of a 
tie. In consideration of the faithful discharge of these 
duties he shall be exempted from the payment of the regular 
monthly dues. He shall annually appoint a Membership 
Committee of three persons and a Sick Committee of three 
persons. 

Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to 
preside at all regular meetings in the absence of the 
President. 


51 


Section 3. The Secretary shall keep a record of all 
transactions of the Society, conduct all correspondence, serve 
all notices in connection with his office ; shall receive all 
dues, fines and initiation fees and pay the same into the 
hands of the Trustees, taking - their receipt therefor; give 
notice twice to delinquent members when in arrears six 
months and for his services shall receive such compensation 
as the Society may from time to time direct. At the expira¬ 
tion of his term of service he must deliver all books and 
papers belonging to the Society to his successor. 

ARTICLE VI. 

Section 1 . The management and control of the tem¬ 
poral affairs and concerns of the Corporation or Society shall 
be vested in a Board of Trustees, five in number, who shall 
be elected annually by the Society. 

Section 2. The Trustees shall receive all monies col¬ 
lected, for which the Secretary shall take their receipt; they 
shall pay all orders drawn upon them signed in behalf of the 
Society by the President and countersigned by the Secretary. 
They shall keep an exact and regular account of all receipts 
and expenditures in a book provided for that purpose, which 
book shall be subject to the inspection of any select Com¬ 
mittee which may be appointed for that purpose. They shall 
report from time to time, the money which may be in hand, 
as the Constitution directs, and for their services shall receive 
fifty cents each for each meeting of said Board of Trustees, 
but in no case shall more than the above amount be allowed 
for any one meeting. 

Section 3. The said Board of Trustees shall receive all 
monies for rent of land, tenements and from all other sources. 
All books, stocks, mortgages and other valuable papers, real 
and personal estate, including monies in bank or banks or 
property in any form or shape shall be subject to the action 
of the Society. All monies received shall be deposited in 
bank within forty-eight hours after receipt thereof. The 
Board of Trustees shall make monthly reports of their 
transactions. 

ARTICLE VII. 

Section 1 . All members who are financially correct on 
the books of this Society after a membership of two years, 


52 


shall be entitled to the following- provisions for benefits and 
gratuities: 

In the event of the death of a member of the Society, the 
sum of four hundred dollars ($400) shall be paid within 
sixty days, from the funds, to such deceased member’s wife, 
or family or leg-al administrator. The Society reserves the 
rig-ht to apply one hundred dollars ($100) of said amount to 
the burial of such member, but in no case shall the amount 
paid in sick benefit be deducted from the death appropriation. 

Section 2. In cases of old ag-e, infirmity or permanent 
disability, a member shall have the rig-ht to draw the sum of 
three hundred dollars ($300) as an advance of his death 
gratuity, on the certificate of the Society’s physician, and the 
certificate shall be in all cases certified before a Notary 
Public, to relieve the Society from future claims. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

Section 1 . Should sickness confine a member to his 
room he shall receive fifteen dollars ($15.) per week, dating 
from the day of his illness, for ten weeks. Should his sick¬ 
ness exceed ten weeks, he shall receive five dollars per week 
for ten weeks more, after which time all benefits shall cease, 
and no member shall receive more than two hundred dollars 
($200) during- one year for illness. And in no case will sick 
aid be allowed to members, unless proper notice is sent to 
the Sick Committee, Secretary, or President of the Society 
during- the sickness of the applicant. A doctor’s certificate 
must be had before aid is g-iven, and placed in the hands of 
Sick Committee. In no case will an allowance be made for 
less than one week’s illness. 

Section 2. Should it be proven to the satisfaction of 
the Society that any member receiving- benefits has pursued 
his employment, been found spending his time in brothels, 
gambling or tippling, then such member shall be expelled 
from membership from said Society and forfeit all his rights 
thereunto. 

ARTICLE IX. 
penalties, fines, etc. 

Section 1 . Any member neglecting to pay his dues for 
six months after being twice specially notified by the Secre¬ 
tary, shall not be entitled to the benefits of this Society. 


53 


Section 2. Any member found guilty of a misdemeanor 
tending to injure the interests or reputation of the Society, 
shall be dealt with as the Society may direct, but shall not 
be expelled unless by a two-third vote of the members pre¬ 
sent, called especially to investigate his case. 

Section 3. All fines and penalties for any dereliction 
of duties or violation of the Constitution of this Society on 
the part of officers or members, shall be charged to and added 
to his monthly dues, and no member who has been so fined or 
incurred such penalties shall be entitled to sick or other 
benefits until such penalties are paid. 

ARTICLE X. 

MEETINGS. 

Section 1 . The regular Meeting of this Society shall 
be held on the second Monday of each month. 

Section 2. Special Meetings may be called by the Secre¬ 
tary on the order of the President, or upon the written re¬ 
quest of ten (10) members. 

ARTICLE XI. 

Section 1 . Any member changing his place of residence 
shall give the Secretary written notice of the same, on or be¬ 
fore the next stated meeting of the Society. 

Section 2. No person under the age of eighteen years 
or over forty years shall be elected to membership in this 
Society 

ARTICLE XII. 

Section 1. All deeds and assignments, etc., shall be 
drawn in the name of “The New York African Society for 
Mutual Relief.” 

ARTICLE XIII. 

Section 1. This Society shall not be dissolved while 
there are five members willing to continue it. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

AMENDMENTS. 

Section 1. This Constitution shall not be altered or 
amended unless by a vote of two-thirds of the members pre- 


54 


sent at a meeting- to be called for that purpose, and all 
motions made for the alterations in said Constitution shall be 
given to the Secretary in writing one month previous to said 
meeting. Proposed copy of amendment must be sent to each 
member. 


ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

1. Fifteen minutes after the hour specified if there be 
five members present, the President, Vice-President, or 
President fro tem , shall call the Society to order. 

2. Roll Call; each member answering to his name shall 
pay the Secretary his monthly dues and such other money as 
he may be indebted to the Society. 

3. Reading of the minutes of the preceding meeting, of 
the Board of Trustees and Committees. 

4. Election of candidates for membership. 

5. Initiation of candidates. 

6. Reading of applications for membership. 

7. Reports of Committees. 

8. Unfinished business. 

9. New business. 

10. Election of Officers. 

11. Adjournment. 


55 


OBLIGATIONS. 

Previous to a person signing the Constitution, the Presi¬ 
dent, in presence of the Society, shall deliver the following 
charge: 

Mr. A. B., having been elected (according to your desire 
and agreeable to our Constitution) a member of this useful 
Society, it becomes your duty as such to support with firm¬ 
ness its interest, its regularity and its Constitution. 

Will you, Mr. A. B., support the Constitution of this 
Society ? 

Answer. I will. 

Will you preserve truly and faithfully the secrets of this 
Society ? 

Answer. I will. 

Will you endeavor to attend regularly, or as often as lies 
in your power, the meetings of this Society, and in every 
respect strive to do your duty as a faithful, upright member ? 

Answer. I will. 

Previous to the Secretary and Trustees’ entrance on the 
discharge of their duties, the President shall deliver the fol¬ 
lowing charge : 

Messrs. A, B, C, D, E, F and G, the Society sensible of 
your merits, has honored } T ou with the important stations of 
Secretary and Trustees, hence it becomes you to discharge 
your respective functions with vigilance and faithfulness. 

Will you, therefore, promote the interests of this Society 
by faithfully and earnestly striving to perform the duties 
assigned you according to the true meaning and intent of the 
Constitution ? 

Each must answer : I will. 

When the President and Vice-President enter into office, 
after an appropriate imiugural speech, they shall pledge 
themselves to the Society in the following words : 

I pledge myself to protect, support and maintain the Con¬ 
stitution of this Society ; to guard and promote the interests 
of this Society; to preserve its regularity and good order, 
and to he faithful and vigilant in the discharge of my duty, 
as far as in my power. 
































































































































































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